9 Salsa Turns You Should Know (and how to use them)
Here are nine salsa turns all salsa dancers should know. Why do you care?
All of you practice solo footwork in class but most of you don’t understand how to apply those steps in partner work and social dancing, therefore not realizing their importance.
I’m going to show you how each turn is executed solo first and then how the turn gets used in salsa partner work, by both leads and follows.
Watch the video for examples of each turn and how they’re used in social dancing.
Right Turn
The right turn can be used by both leads and follows, on its own or in a combination where partners take turns turning.
It’s also a useful turn the lead can use to change directions. A common example is a right turn, to hand toss and then leading the follow into an inside turn.
Left Turn
The left can be used in a similar to the right turn – on it’s own or taking turns with your partner.
Additionally the left turn is super useful for a cross body lead variation called a suave where the lead performs the left turn as they to the cross body lead. There are many variations of the suave but the common thread is they all use the left turn footwork.
Inside Turn
An inside turn is a cross body lead with 1.5 left turns for the follow.
I’ve made a separate video on 7 Inside Turn Variations You Should Know.
Outside Turn
An outside turn is a cross body lead with 1.5 right turns for the follow.
I’ve made a separate video on 7 Outside Turn Variations You Should Know.
Half and Half
The half half starts with the right turn footwork, stepping forward on the left and pivoting to the right and then is repeated on the other side, stepping forward with the right and pivoting to the left.
It’s use comes in the pivots. As a leader, you’re constantly pivoting your feet when doing partner work.
One clear example is using the half and half footwork to lead a cross body lead.
Spot Turn
The spot turn uses a prep and then turns on the spot, in place. You can turn to the right or left.
These turns are used in so many different situations for both leads and follows and are a must-know.
Leads often use them for themselves after leading a single right or left turn for the follow. They’re also very commonly used after leading double right turns for the follow.
Double Turn
The classic double turn is a must-have. You’ll use it a ton as a follower and it’s the gateway to doing 3+ turns.
You don’t execute this turn much for yourself as a lead, but you’ll be leading follows through it.
In the video above, I paired the double turn for the follow with a right or left spot turn for the lead.
Half Spot Turn
The half spot turn is the same as the previous version, just a 180 degree version.
It’s commonly used for the lead to turn away from the follow, so the follow is in a shadow position, and then the leader guide’s the follow into a right turn while their back is facing the follow.
Hook Turn
The hook turn is a staple turn in both casino (cuban salsa) and linear salsa. It’s versatile and very useful.
In the video I demonstrate it alongside three different steps: the cross body lead, the change of place (called enchufla in cuban salsa), and a right turn for the follow.
Wrap-up
Master these 9 salsa turns solo first and you’ll be so much more prepared with the coordination and precision of your footwork when you do partner work.
Everything is progressive, one step at a time, and I hope that’s the message you’ve got from this video and post.
When laid out well, salsa isn’t overly complex. A high-level of social dancing is achievable by anyone with a teacher who knows how to develop you layer by layer.
That’s what we do here at Dance Dojo.
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